When Was the Last Time the Big Ten Won a College Basketball National Championship?

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Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers in New York, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Rutgers won 61-55.
(AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Chase Kiddy @chaseakiddy Jun 21, 2024, 2:35 PM

The last time a member of the Big Ten won a collegiate basketball national championship was in 2000 when the Michigan State Spartans knocked off the Florida Gators in Indianapolis.

Tom Izzo’s Spartans were led by Mateen Cleaves and a group of players from Flint, Michigan, known as the “Flintstones.” The conference has had many excellent teams since then but has failed to capture the ultimate prize.

Big Ten National Championship History

The Big Ten has made the final game on eight occasions since 2000, going 0-8.

Most recently, Purdue made the 2024 championship game, but the Boilermakers lost to UConn.

The Michigan State Spartans returned to the title game in 2009 but lost in Detroit to North Carolina. John Beilein’s Michigan Wolverines made the final in 2013 and 2018 but lost to Louisville and Villanova, respectively.

A terrific Illinois team lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2005 final, and the Ohio State Buckeyes lost to Florida in 2007.

The Wisconsin Badgers were a surprise to make the Final Four in 2015 but came up short in the Championship Game against the Duke Blue Devils.

Maryland won in 2002 over the Indiana Hoosiers, but the Terrapins were a member of the ACC at the time.

Big Ten Basketball National Championships

YearMen's Team
2000Michigan State
1989Michigan
1987Indiana
1981Indiana
1979Michigan State
1976Indiana
1960Ohio State
1953Indiana
1941Wisconsin
1940Indiana

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About the Author

Chase Kiddy

Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.